MITCH COOK could look to bolster his squad after Pickering Town crashed to their fifth defeat in the last seven games when Staveley Miners Welfare took a 2-0 victory away from the Recreation Ground.

The Pikes are not in Northern Counties East League premier division action this weekend, returning to duty next Tuesday night against Maltby Main, and manager Cook may have brought some new faces to Mill Lane by the time a ball is next kicked in anger.

After a heartening performance, albeit in defeat, against Tadcaster Albion in their previous outing, Pickering reverted to type and Cook was left disappointed.

“I really believe if we had done 50 per cent of what we did against Tadcaster we would have comfortably won the game against Staveley,” he said.

“We dominated the game without playing very well.

“When that’s the situation we have to draw the game 0-0 - but we just can’t do it.”

He added: “We’ve got a week off, which is going to help.

“We were without Tony Hackworth and Chris Batchelor was only 50 per cent. The extra time will help them recover.

“They will come back into the squad but maybe there is someone to come in between now and next Tuesday.”

Pickering’s latest defeat - their third in a row - means they have picked up just 14 points from 13 games and are 13th in the league table.

They had the better of the opening half, Robbie Hawkes hitting a shot wide early on and Batchelor only narrowly missing with a 40-yard lob after spotting visiting keeper Steve Hernandez off his line.

Staveley’s first real attempt on goal came only seven minutes before half-time and Callum Myers dealt well with Ryan Damms’ header.

Heartened, they could have been in front within a couple of minutes of the restart. Jack Watts hit the post from 25 yards and Myers did superbly well to keep out Jordan Hodders’ follow up.

Back came Pickering, following the introduction of substitute Billy Logan, and Joe Danby shot wide from 10 yards before Hernandez tipped a Hawkes effort round for a corner.

Frank Belt’s long range effort looked a certain goal but Herandez produced a stunning save before Staveley took the lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Miners substitute Jahmal Smith changed the game with pace and skill and he orchestrated a move which split the Pikes defence open and allowed Pat Lindley to score with a well struck, low shot into the bottom corner.

They doubled their lead three minutes later when Smith broke clear, beat three home players and rolled the ball into an empty net after rounding Myers, who attempted to bring him down.

Pickering: Myers, Belt, Tilsley, Patterson (Logan 57), Gibb, Cooper, Ramm, Taylor (Hutchinson), Danby, Hawkes, and Batchelor. Daley and Aziz not used.

Cook said: “The lads we have got are decent players at this level. They have to look at themselves. Eventually, I will replace them or will get replaced.

“I’ve been in football long enough and I know it is results based. I’ve known Keith Usher (chairman) and we are both doing what’s right for Pickering Town.

“I will work as hard as I can to try and turn it around. I still believe we are not that far away.”

Pickering Under-19s, meanwhile, beat Scarborough Athletic 1-0 to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and go top of the league table.